The New People’s Army has claimed responsibility for the killing of a force multiplier in Binalbagan and the alleged disarming of a man it accused of involvement in illegal drugs in Escalante City, Negros Occidental.
In separate statements dated Oct. 9, the Romeo Nanta Command-NPA South Central Negros Guerrilla Front claimed responsibility for the Oct. 5 killing of a man in Sitio Capaklan, Brgy. Santol, Binalbagan.
The group identified the victim as Dioleto Arnado and alleged that he had been acting as an asset of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
These allegations have not been independently verified.
Binalbagan police earlier reported that a 55-year-old force multiplier identified only as alias “Jolito” was shot dead while plowing a field in the mountainous portion of Barangay Santol at around 7 a.m. on Oct. 5.
Police chief Maj. Joey Mara earlier said investigators had yet to identify the assailants or establish a motive.
He also said the victim had no record at the Binalbagan Police Station.
The NPA, however, claimed its members carried out the killing because Arnado allegedly provided information and assistance to government security forces.
The group also issued warnings against persons it accused of acting as government informants.
In a separate statement, the Roselyn Jean Pelle Command-NPA Northern Negros Guerrilla Front claimed that its members conducted what it described as a raid and disarming operation against Reymart Marquiz in Brgy. Paitan, Escalante City, on Sept. 29.
The NPA accused Marquiz of involvement in the illegal drug trade and claimed residents had complained about drug activities in the area.
The rebel group said it confiscated a baby M16 rifle, a .45-caliber pistol and an Ingram-type firearm, along with magazines and ammunition.
There has been no independent confirmation of the NPA’s allegations against Marquiz or of the circumstances surrounding the reported confiscation.
The claimed disarming happened on the same day that another NPA unit attacked government troops in Barangay Malasibog, Escalante City.
That encounter left one CAFGU Active Auxiliary member dead and two soldiers wounded. The Philippine Army said personnel of the 79th Infantry Battalion were conducting a security patrol when they came under attack, while the NPA later claimed responsibility for the incident.
Authorities have maintained that security operations will continue in areas affected by armed insurgency in Negros Occidental.*
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